News from around the 32 Irish counties

The payment of €2 million to an eight-year-old Kells girl, who is paraplegic after her spine was unintentionally injured during a surgical procedure at Crumlin Children's Hospital, Dublin, three years ago, will mark a new trend in making 'staggered' payments instead of lump sums to accident victims, two Meath solicitors claimed last week.
Gemma Meehan, daughter of John and Joan Meehan, is to be paid the €2 million as part-settlement of her High Court action against the hospital. Under the terms of the settlement, she may return to the court when she reaches 18 to seek further compensation on the grounds including future loss of earnings.
(Source: The Meath Chronicle)

OFFALY

A woman who bought her ticket in Birr is celebrating after picking up a cheque for €250,000, her Lotto Plus 2 top prize from last Saturday's draw
The delighted winner bought her €4 ticket in Patti Nees, Main Street, Birr.
While wishing to remain anonymous, the lucky Lotto winner did express her delight at scooping the substantial sum.
(Source The Offaly Express)

ROSCOMMON

Two Roscommon entrepreneurs have taken a unique approach to beating the recession by launching an innovative flood solution product, the Big Bag System. Castlerea native Shane Curran and Gerard Brennan from Kilteevan recently established Global Flood Solutions, a 100% Irish owned company that specializes in proven and cost-effective flood defense products.
(Source: The Roscommon Champion)

SLIGO

After 47 days the High Court case in Dublin about alleged rights of way at the Lissadell estate has concluded hearing evidence and will resume on June 3rd to hear final submissions from both sides.
(Source: The Sligo Champion)

TIPPERARY

North Tipperary County Council is getting tough on developers who have left housing developments unfinished throughout the county by calling in bonds to the tune of 1.6 million Euro.
(Source: The Tipperary Star)

TYRONE

Hillary Clinton’s Northern Ireland representative has been challenged to deliver US money to help one of the most deprived areas of Belfast.
Imposing loyalist murals and boarded up shops formed the backdrop for a visit by US Economic Envoy Declan Kelly last week to Sandy Row in the south of the city.
Former UDA boss Jackie McDonald was there to meet the envoy and told him: “If people think they are living in a ghetto, they will have a ghetto attitude.”
(Source: Belfast Telegraph)

WATERFORD

The management of Waterford City Council is to pursue the city’s first ever lady mayor for thousands of euro she spent on a trip to New York for herself and her husband during her mayoralty.
An audit of council accounts in 2008 found that former Fine Gael councilor, Mary O’Halloran, who lost her seat in the local elections last June, booked the trip which cost €7,200, to the big apple without receiving the approval of her fellow councilors or following the normal procedures for such trips.
(Source: Waterford News & Star)

WESTMEATH

Athlone Town could be on the verge of a sensational coup by bringing Spanish and European giants Real Madrid to Lissywoollen for a friendly match in early August.
National newspapers reported last Monday that Athlone Town were seeking to entertain the nine-times European champions at the Midlands' venue on Monday, August 9.
(Source: The Westmeath Independent)

WEXFORD

Wexford woman Rosaleen Molloy got to rub shoulders with Bono in New York last week after being appointed director of a new National Music Education Program partly funded by U2
(Source: The Wexford People)

WICKLOW

Two Greystones' men got a hero's welcome as they returned to their home town on Saturday afternoon last after completing the final leg of the first Irish circumnavigation of the world by bicycle. Simon Evans and Fearghal Ó Nualláin have cycled some 30,000 km through 26 countries since leaving Greystones 18 months ago.
(Source: The Wicklow People)